Outlaws eXtreme

Anyone here know what's the deal with exhaust laws now in State of California? It use to be any modifications to exhaust... then when some of the car companies started to put out cars with huge exhaust (350z, WRX, Lancer) right off the factory, the law changed a bit. I know they can still give you a ticket if it's Too loud.. not sure the decible level...

1) Can they write you up for just having an aftermarket exhaust?
2) Anyone know the current list of aftermarket exhausts for our cars are smog legal in California?
3) Decible level.. I have a feeling the B&B one wont pass the noise factor....what is the level you can have?

TRU681

I think it's 95 decibles & below is acceptable.

SPD-FC

as long as it under 95db it is legal

Outlaws eXtreme

But simply modifying your exhaust shouldn't be illegal anymore right? I remember when I use to get sited for having a Trust exhaust.. I asked why, the cop said I changed it from Stock... went to court, the judge said it was illegal. This was back about 9 years ago. Has the laws changed?

Anyone on here get a ticket for having an aftermarket exhaust on their RX-8?

mike0615

These days they check if ur exhaust passes smog and noise. i was riding with my friend that had a greddy exhaust that passed smog in 50 states, but still got a ticket cause of the DB. the cop didn't know if it was under 95 or not but my friend still got the ticket cause he didn't have the cert that proved it was under 95 db. he did have the cert that said it passed smog though. the cop told my friend he had to go to ref station and get a cert for the noise or put it back to stock. but i think if the cop wanted to be a dick he could just ignore any of the certificates that u show him and he'll give ur *** a ticket anyway. cuz in cali they don't give fix tickets anymore, if u get a ticket for mods u gotta pay 10 bucks regardless whether its street legal or not. this is what i was told, please correct me if i'm wrong.

Equis

I got this from the Street Legal CHP website

Exhaust systems which meet smog requirements but are still too loud. Exhaust equipment that states it is, "Legal in all 50 states," refers to smog, not noise.

Info is here.. http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/streetlegal.html

Basically the cop can give you a ticket if he "feels" it's too loud.

Outlaws eXtreme

Ok, so basically any aftermarket exhaust in Cali can be sited.. waste your time getting write off, AND on top of that waste your $10. Hmm

How the heck does the WRX and EVOVIII people get away with it? They don't get sited since it's a Factory issued accessory.... hmm...

Anyone else with some input on this?

SPD-FC

there are testing stations you can have it checked at, a muffler has nothing to do with smog , i believe all the greddy exhaust are tested to be under 95db-
chris @ spd racing

Outlaws eXtreme

Ok, besides the Decible.

Zoomy

This comes directly from the California Vehicle Code:

27151. (a) No person shall modify the exhaust system of a motor
vehicle in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted
by the motor of the vehicle so that the vehicle is not in compliance
with the provisions of Section 27150 or exceeds the noise limits
established for the type of vehicle in Article 2.5 (commencing with
Section 27200). No person shall operate a motor vehicle with an
exhaust system so modified.
(b) For the purposes of exhaust systems installed on motor
vehicles with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of less
than 6,000 pounds, other than motorcycles, a sound level of 95 dbA or
less, when tested in accordance with Society of Automotive Engineers
Standard J1169 May 1998, complies with this section. Motor vehicle
exhaust systems or parts thereof include, but are not limited to,
nonoriginal exhaust equipment.

Zoomy

As for a cop giving you a ticket because he "feels" its too loud. He better be able to know what 95db sounds like. If it were me, I'd challenge him unless he had a db meter. I bought one at Radio Shack for under $50.

Rotary Rasp

iTrader: (2)

Yea, the muffler doens't affect smog.

Toadman

95 decibels at what distance, air temps, acoustical environment, doppler effect and engine load/rpm? Leaving it discretionary to Mr. Revenue Officer makes me sick! At least th Po-Po can prove hard evidence with tape measures for ride/bumper height, tinted windows and obvious visuals like underhood illegal mods with set limits in the books, but I don't see them issuing Db meters at taxpayer expense soon so again it's their word against yours( i.e., you're screwed).

They could make a killing on Harleys but fat chance of that happening. Arnold owns several.

Art Hazebrook

I would imagine the part reading, "when tested in accordance with Society of Automotive Engineers Standard J1169 May 1998" might spell out distance, air temps, acoustical environment, doppler effect and engine load/rpm, etc. Just my $0.02 worth... :D

Regards, Art